Batter up as Japan rugby coach Jamie Joseph pitches at professional baseball game

Last updated 15:44, May 19 2017

Atsushi Tomura

Japan rugby head coach Jamie Joseph.

Japan rugby coach Jamie Joseph has switched sporting codes briefly, making the first pitch at a professional baseball game between the Yomiuri Giants and Tokyo Yakult Swallows at the Tokyo Dome recently.

The former Highlanders coach's pitch was high and wide, although according to a television interview, Joseph was surprised to see a batter down the other end from his vantage point on the pitcher's mound.

"I wasn't expecting to have a batsman there," he said.

Yakult secured a hard fought 1-0 victory in the game, with a run in the top of the third innings.